Changgyeonggung Palace was built by King Seongjong for three queens dowager on the site of the old Suganggung Palace. Suganggung Palace was originally built in 1418 (the year King Sejong ascended the throne) by King Sejong for King Taejong, who was then the retired king. Later, in 1483 (the 14th year of King Seongjong's reign), King Seongjong greatly expanded Suganggung Palace for the three queens dowager—Queen Jeonghui, King Sejo's consort; Queen Sohye, King Deokjong's consort; and Queen Ansun, King Yejong's consort—and renamed it Changgyeonggung Palace. Changgyeonggung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace formed a single palace complex called Donggwol (Eastern Palace) without boundaries, and Changgyeonggung was primarily used as living quarters for the royal family. Changgyeonggung Palace was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign) and rebuilt in 1616 (the 8th year of King Gwanghaegun's reign). In 1830 (the 30th year of King Sunjo's reign), most of its buildings were lost in a major fire and rebuilt four years later. However, after Emperor Sunjong ascended the throne in 1907, a zoo and botanical garden were established within Changgyeonggung Palace, causing it to lose its appearance as a royal palace. In 1911, the Japanese colonial government even demoted the palace's name to Changgyeongwon, turning it into a park rather than a palace, leading to severe damage. After liberation, its name was restored to Changgyeonggung Palace in 1983, the zoo within the palace grounds was relocated, and restoration work began to return it to its original palace form, resulting in its current appearance. Unlike other palaces that face south, Changgyeonggung Palace's main gate and main hall are oriented to the east.